Last Updated: 4 months ago
Are you looking for useful tips for a happy indoor cat? Then, we’re happy to say, you’ve come to the right place.
A lot of people wonder the same thing when they come to the conclusion that it’s better to have an indoor cat than an outdoor one.
Keep on reading to find out how to make your cat happy and entertained at home so that she doesn’t ever miss the outside world!
7 Tips on How to Make Your Cat Happy
Every indoor cat owner sometimes feels like his cat is not living its life to the fullest.
Unfortunately, the outside world is not safe for a cat when you live in a place with a lot of traffic or large predatory animals.
Nevertheless, cats still have a wild streak, and they don’t do well when they lack physical or mental stimulation.
To ensure that your cat has the best possible life indoors, here are some suggestions:
1. Make Climbing Possible
Cats like to climb high and observe their “domain.” So, one way to keep your indoor cat happy is to use your vertical space and add “cat shelves.”
Kat will have more space to wander around, and she will have a special place that humans can’t reach.
Our Kitty, for example, always gets up to the top of the home library and sleeps there so that no one can bother her.
In addition to cat shelves, you should get a cat tree. The excellent thing is that these trees come in all kinds of shapes and sizes to suit your cat’s temperament.
You can also try your luck and build one if you’re handy and love DIY cat tree projects.
Keep in mind that some cats don’t take to trees right away, so you may want to check out these tips on how to get your cat to use the tree.
2. Install a Bird-View Station
One of the most favorite activities of the cat population is stalking and killing birds.
While your indoor cat can’t join in this fun, you can still keep her entertained with a homemade bird-view station.
To do that, you need:
- A window perch for cats
- A bird feeder or a fountain
- A curious cat
Place the bird feeder close to the window, and you’ll quickly notice that your furball spends a lot of time watching the birds.
If you’re lucky, you might even hear her making those weird chirping sounds.
However, keep in mind that some cats might get frustrated because they can’t reach the birds. I recommend that you keep soft, fluffy toys and offer them as an alternative.
3. Hide Treats
Another thing you can do to make life interesting for your cat is to hide treats around the house. You can make your own food puzzles, or you might buy one.
These are great for mental stimulation because your cat will be challenged to figure out how to get the food out.
To be honest, that’s not going to work with all cats. Mine are interested in the puzzle toys I’ve bought, and they have no interest in “working” for their food.
4. Leash Walking
I remember when I tried to take my cat for a walk a couple of years ago. It didn’t go very well because she wasn’t in the mood to cooperate.
A lot of cats are like that, but you’ll never know how your cat feels about leash walking until you try.
What’s more, you can train your cat to walk on a leash, although it will take you some time to do it.
5. Build a Catio
If you want your cat to enjoy a bit of fresh air, you can build her a “catio.”
A catio is something like a big cage for cats that you place on your deck or patio. In addition to this, you can also secure a portion of your yard and turn it into a cat playpen.
A cat pen or a catio is an excellent option if your cat is not a fan of leash walking or you don’t have enough time to walk her around the neighborhood.
6. Plant Some Grass
If you had ever had an outside cat, you would have noticed that she often nibbles on fresh grass.
The truth is that cats use grass to get rid of hairballs and other things they’ve swallowed. That’s why your plants often don’t live very long around cats.
So, to save your plants, make sure that you have some cat grass available for Kitty to satisfy her cravings.
7. Spend Time With Your Cat
A happy indoor cat needs to feel that the world spins around her. In other words, you have to spend as much time as possible with your pet.
For example:
- Throw balls for her to chase around the house.
- Drag features on the floor to awaken her hunting instincts.
- Pet her and tell her how much you love her.
- Play with laser toys.
Wrap-Up
Indoor cats are much safer than those living outside. So don’t feel guilty that your cat is not having a good time.
She is safe and sound in your house, loved, and protected. That’s what matters.
What do you think about these tips on how to make your cat happy? How do you entertain your indoor cat? Tell us in the comments.
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Olfa knows how to get things done and has a keen business sense that others admire. She’s always on the go, coming up with new ideas! Her ability to anticipate the needs of her readers and deliver information that they want is what makes CatVills such a success. She loves cuddling her cat Picaciu. He is her inspiration.
